| About SARTHIE 1.0: It is an initiative intended to empower disadvantaged communities, including Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Senior Citizens, Transgender Persons, Victims of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, persons engaged in the act of Begging, Denotified and Nomadic Tribes and more. It aligns with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly the goals focused on eradicating poverty, reducing inequality, and promoting social protection policies that ensure greater equality for all. The collaboration aims to bridge the awareness gap and provide legal assistance to ensure the effective implementation of social welfare programmes. It offers a synergy between the executive and the judiciary and ensures that social justice is further strengthened. Key facts about NALSA |
| About National Mission for Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP): Launched by the Government of India in August 2021, NMEO-OP targets a substantial increase in oil palm cultivation and crude palm oil production. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a special focus on the Northeast region and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with a focus on increasing the area and productivity of oilseeds and Oil Palm. Scheme Outlay: A financial outlay of Rs. 11,040 crores have been made for the scheme, out of which Rs. 8,844 crore is the Government of India share and Rs. 2,196 crore is the State share, and this includes the viability gap funding also. Targets: To increase the area of oil palm to 10 lakh hectares from 3.5 lakh ha during 2019-20 by 2025-26 (an additional 6.50 lakh ha). To increase the Crude Palm Oil production from 0.27 lakh tonnes during 2019-20 to 11.20 lakh tonnes by 2025-26. |
| About Five-Hundred Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST): It is a radio telescope in China’s Guizhou Province. It is the world’s largest and most sensitive radio telescope, with a receiving area equivalent to 30 football fields. It measures 500 meters in diameter. Scientific Goals: Detect neutral hydrogen at the edge of the universe; reconstruct the images of the early universe; Discover pulsars, establish a pulsar timing array, and participate in pulsar navigation and gravitational wave detection in the future; Join the International Very-Long-Baseline Interferometry Network to obtain hyperfine structures of celestial bodies; Perform high-resolution radio spectral survey; |
| Recently, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has selected Coforge Limited as the System Integrator (SI) for its digital transformation project, Anna DARPAN. About Anna DARPAN Project: The project aims to streamline and enhance the supply chain management system at various levels. This system will be designed to improve efficiency and productivity by creating an interactive and user-friendly UI design. It will also enable data-driven decision-making by leveraging data analytics to support strategic and operational decisions. The system will be integrated with internal and external systems, and a mobile-first approach will be prioritized to ensure that it is accessible anytime, anywhere. As part of the project, Coforge will be responsible for the end-to-end design, development, implementation, and maintenance of the Anna DARPAN system. |
| Recently, the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs said that the government has introduced the Jal Hi AMRIT scheme in its first 100 days. |
| About BharatGen: It is an initiative which will create generative AI systems that can generate high-quality text and multimodal content in various Indian languages. It is the first Government-supported Multimodal Large Language Model Initiative. It is implemented by IIT Bombay under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS). Features of BharatGen The multilingual and multimodal nature of foundation models; Bhartiya data set-based building, and training; Open-source platform development of an ecosystem of generative AI research in the country. The project is expected to be completed in two years along with plans to benefit several government, private, educational, and research institutions. |
| Mount Erebus: It is the world’s southernmost active volcano. Location: It is situated on Ross Island, Antarctica. It was discovered in 1841 by the British explorer Sir James Clark Ross, who named it after his ship, the Erebus. It’s a stratovolcano characterized by a conical shape and layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. Mount Erebus is known for its persistent lava lake. The lake has been active since at least 1972and is one of only a few long-lived lava lakes on Earth. It constantly churns and occasionally spews bombs of molten rock in Strombolian eruptions. Because the volcano is in a remote location, researchers monitor it using satellites. |
| About White Goods: White goods traditionally refer to large home appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, freezers and washing machines. Originally, such goods were only available in white, hence the designation. |
| Exercise KAZIND The 8th edition of Exercise KAZIND is scheduled to be conducted from 30th September to 13th October 2024 at Surya Foreign Training Node, Auli, Uttarakhand. |
| Legendary actor Mr. Mithun Chakraborty will be honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for the year 2022. |
| Recently, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) launched the ‘Cruise Bharat Mission’ from the Mumbai port. |
| The Prime Minister is set to strengthen India’s strategic ties with Southeast Asia as he heads to Vientiane, Laos, for the 21st ASEAN-India Summit. |
| About State of Global Water Resource Report: It is an annual report published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) since 2021. It offers a comprehensive and consistent overview of water resources worldwide. It is based on input from dozens of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and other organizations and experts. Highlights of the 2023 Report: The year 2023 marked the driest year for global rivers in 33 years. The last five consecutive years have recorded widespread below-normal conditions for river flows, with reservoir inflows following a similar pattern. It notes that 2023 was also the second consecutive year in which all regions in the world with glaciers reported ice loss, the year in which “glaciers suffered the largest mass loss ever registered in 50 years. More than 600 gigatons (Gt) of water were lost across all glaciated regions of the world. The report says that 6 billion people currently face inadequate access to water at least one month a year, and this is expected to increase to more than 5 billion by 2050. The world is far off-track with Sustainable Development Goal 6 on water and sanitation. |
| The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will be held in New Delhi from October 14 to 24, 2024. |
| It is an Arab country of Southwest Asia, in the rocky desert of the northern Arabian Peninsula. It is named for the Jordan River, which passes on its western border. It occupies an area of around 91,880 sq. km. Bordering Countries: It is bounded to the north by Syria, to the east by Iraq, to the southeast and south by Saudi Arabia, and to the west by Israeland the West Bank. The capital and largest city in the country is Amman—named for the Ammonites, who made the city their capital in the 13th century BCE. Jordan has 16 miles (26 km) of coastline on the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea)in the southwest, where Al-ʿAqabah, it’s only port, is located. |
| About Peechi -Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary: Location: It is located in Thrissur District, Kerala. Spread across 125 sq. km, the Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1958. It is situated in the catchment area of the Peechi and Vazhani Dams. It is part of the Palapilii-Nelliyampathy forests and forms the northern boundary of the Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary. Vegetation: Forest Types include tropical evergreen forests, tropical semi evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests, etc. The terrain is undulating, the altitude varies from 100 to 914 m, with the highest peak being Ponmudi. Flora: There are more than 50 different kinds of orchids, innumerable rare medicinal plants, and trees of high commercial value like teak, rosewood, and so on. Fauna: The wildlife population includes over 25 types of mammals, including carnivores like the leopard, the tiger, and the fox, and herbivores like the elk, deer, barking deer, spotted deer, the gaur, and the elephant. |
| About Canary Islands: It is an archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean. It is about 1300 km South of mainland Spain and 115 km West of the African coast (Morocco). The Canaries comprise the Spanish provinces of Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. These Islands were formed by volcanic eruptionsmillions of years ago. Climatic condition They have a subtropical climate. Temperatures are warm and show little seasonal variation. It has rich volcanic soils and mild temperatures that support a wide variety of vegetation that generally follows a zonal arrangement based on elevation. |
| Recently, the Union Ministry of Tourism has launched a national responsible tourism initiative titled Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi. |
| Alexander Dunn has been awarded the prestigious 2024 SASTRA Ramanujan Prize. bout SASTRA Ramanujan Prize: It was instituted in the year 2005. It is awarded every year by the SASTRA University on its campus near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, on Ramanujan’s birth anniversary, December 22. Eligibility: The prize is conferred annually to mathematicians from across the world who is less than 32 years of age, working in an area influenced by the Srinivasa Ramanujan. The age limit is 32 years to commemorate the fact that Ramanujan accomplished a phenomenal body of work in this short span. Cash prize:It carries a citation and an award of $10,000. |
| India has moved up to 39th place among 133 global economies in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024. bout Global Innovation Index: It is published by the World Intellectual Property Organization. It is a reliable tool for governments across the world to assess the innovation-led social and economic changes in their respective countries Key Highlights of the Global Innovation Index 2024 India has been ranked first among 10 economies in Central and Southern Asia, further emphasizing its regional dominance in innovation. India has also secured the 4th position in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Science and Technology (S&T) Cluster Ranking. Major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai are listed among the world’s top 100 S&T clusters, which are hubs for research, development, and technological advancements. India has achieved the 7th rank globally in intangible asset intensity, which measures the strength of non-physical assets like patents and trademarks, essential for driving innovation. |
| About Philadelphi corridor: It is a ribbon of land about 14kms in length and 100 metres wide along Gaza’s border with Egypt. It was designated as a demilitarised border zone after the withdrawal of Israeli settlements and troops from Gaza in 2005 and runs from the Mediterranean to the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel. The Corridor was originally established under the 1979 Israel-Egypt peace treaty as a 100-meter-wide buffer zone. The zone was later expanded beginning during the Second Intifada to be several hundred meters wide. It covers the entire 8.7-mile-long border. The Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza is within the Philadelphi Corridor. In 2005, as part of Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from Gaza, Egypt and Israel signed an agreement by which Egypt would secure the border between Egypt and Gaza to prevent the smuggling of weapons into the Strip. Egypt maintains a one-kilometer-wide buffer zone on its side of the border, with plans to expand it. |
| About Three Gorges Dam: It is located on the Yangtze River in China’s Hubei Province. It is the world’s largest hydroelectric power station. The dam was completed in 2012 after nearly two decades of construction. Its staggering dimensions—2,335 metres (7,660 feet) long and 185 metres (607 feet) high—make it the largest dam ever built. The dam’s reservoir has a capacity of 40 cubic kilometres (about 10 trillion gallons) of water, which can produce up to 22,500 megawatts of electricity. The dam uses the flow of water from the three closest gorges, known as Qutangxia, Wuxia, and Xilingxia, for spinning the turbine and generating electricity |
| Recently, India was elected to the GlobE Network’s Steering Committee during the plenary session held in Beijing. About GlobE Network: The Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GloBE Network) was an initiative of G-20. The GloBE Network was officially launched on June 3, 2021, during a special event at the UN General Assembly Special Session against Corruption. It now has 121 member countries and 219 member authorities. It is emerging as a unique platform where agencies from across the world share best practices and criminal intelligence, develop strategies, and support in the common cause of combating corruption. The steering committee, consisting of one chair, one vice-chair, and 13 members, provides leadership and direction for the organisation. |
| About Central Silk Board It is a Statutory Body established in 1948, by an Act of Parliament. It functions under the administrative control of the Union Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. It comprises 39 members appointed as per the powers and provisions conferred by Sub-Section 3 of Section 4 of the CSB Act 1948, for a period of 3 years. The Chairperson of the Board to be appointed by the Central Government. Functions |
| About Lake Michigan: It is the third largest of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one lying wholly within the United States. It is the fourth largest freshwater lake and the fifth largest lake in the world ranked by surface area. The lake is 321 miles (517 km) long (north to south); it has a maximum width of 118 miles (190 km). Drainage basin area: 45,600 square mi (118,095 square km) Lake Michigan is connected directly to Lake Huron, into which it drains, through the broad Straits of Mackinac. This hydrologic connection through the Straits keeps the water levels of the two lakes in equilibrium, causing them to behave in many ways as though they are one lake. Water flows into Lake Michigan from several rivers in the 45,600 square mile Lake Michigan drainage basin, including the Fox-Wolf, the Grand, the Joseph, and the Kalamazoo rivers, among others. The lake boasts a variety of natural habitats, including tallgrass prairies, wide savannas, and the world’s largest freshwater sand dunes. It hosts a wealth of plant and animal species, many of which are rare or endangered (such as the Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly and the Dwarf Lake Iris). |
| About Canary Islands: It is an archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean. It is about 1300 km South of mainland Spain and 115 km West of the African coast (Morocco). The Canaries comprise the Spanish provinces of Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. These Islands were formed by volcanic eruptionsmillions of years ago. |
| About Ethanol: It is an agricultural by-product which is mainly obtained from the processing of sugar from sugarcane, but also from other sources such as rice husk or maize. Ethanol appears as a clear colorless liquid with a characteristic vinous odor and pungent taste. Since ethanol is produced from plants that harness the power of the sun, it is also considered as renewable fuel. In India, ethanol is mainly produced from sugarcane molasses by fermentation process. Ethanol blending is the process of combining ethanol and petrol to use less fossil fuel while driving a vehicle. To supplement ethanol supplies, the Government of India has permitted the procurement of ethanol produced from sources other than molasses, which is known as first generation ethanol or 1G. Apart from molasses, ethanol can be derived from rice straw, wheat straw, maize cobs, corn stover, bagasse, bamboo and woody biomass, which are known as second generation ethanol sources or 2G. |
| About Ethanol: It is an agricultural by-product which is mainly obtained from the processing of sugar from sugarcane, but also from other sources such as rice husk or maize. Ethanol appears as a clear colorless liquid with a characteristic vinous odor and pungent taste. Since ethanol is produced from plants that harness the power of the sun, it is also considered as renewable fuel. In India, ethanol is mainly produced from sugarcane molasses by fermentation process. Ethanol blending is the process of combining ethanol and petrol to use less fossil fuel while driving a vehicle. To supplement ethanol supplies, the Government of India has permitted the procurement of ethanol produced from sources other than molasses, which is known as first generation ethanol or 1G. Apart from molasses, ethanol can be derived from rice straw, wheat straw, maize cobs, corn stover, bagasse, bamboo and woody biomass, which are known as second generation ethanol sources or 2G. |
| About Paryatan Mitra And Paryatan Didi Initiative: The primary aim of this initiative is to elevate the overall experience for tourists in destinations, by having them meet ‘tourist-friendly’ people who are proud Ambassadors and Storytellers for their destination. The vision of this initiative is to welcome one and all to experience Incredible India through Incredible Indians, thereby creating a more welcoming, hospitable, and memorable experience for tourists when in India. Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi were piloted in six tourist destinations across India: Orchha (Madhya Pradesh), Gandikota (Andhra Pradesh), Bodh Gaya (Bihar), Aizawl (Mizoram), Jodhpur (Rajasthan), and Sri Vijaya Puram (Andaman & Nicobar Islands). |
| About Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary: Location: Situated in Raisen and Sehore districts of Madhya Pradesh, it spreads over 825.90 sq km. This rocky forest with aquatic environment is spread on the Vindhya Hills. It runs parallel on the northern side of the Narmada River. The Kolar River forms the western boundary of the Sanctuary. The sanctuary has Bhimbetka,a group of rock shelters and rock paintings, which is one of the ” World Heritage Site ” declared by UNESCO. It also encompasses many other historical and religious destinations like Ginnourgarh Fort, POW camp, Keri Mahadeo, Ratapani dam, Jholiyapur dam, etc. Landscape: It is rugged with hills, valleys, plateaus, and plains. |
| India has moved up to 39th place among 133 global economies in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024. bout Global Innovation Index: It is published by the World Intellectual Property Organization. It is a reliable tool for governments across the world to assess the innovation-led social and economic changes in their respective countries Key Highlights of the Global Innovation Index 2024 India has been ranked first among 10 economies in Central and Southern Asia, further emphasizing its regional dominance in innovation. India has also secured the 4th position in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Science and Technology (S&T) Cluster Ranking. Major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai are listed among the world’s top 100 S&T clusters, which are hubs for research, development, and technological advancements. India has achieved the 7th rank globally in intangible asset intensity, which measures the strength of non-physical assets like patents and trademarks, essential for driving innovation. |
| out PARAM Rudra Supercomputer: It is designed to tackle complex computational challenges across various scientific and engineering domains. Three Param Rudra supercomputers have been developed indigenously under the National Supercomputing Mission. They have been deployed at three key locations: Delhi, Pune and Kolkata. In Pune, the Giant Metre Radio Telescope (GMRT) will leverage the supercomputer to explore Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) and other astronomical phenomena. In Delhi, Inter University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) will enhance research in fields like material science and atomic physics. In Kolkata, S N Bose Centre will use supercomputing technology to drive advanced research in areas such as physics, cosmology, and earth sciences. |
| About Jivitputrika Festival: Jivitputrika, or Jitiya Vrat, is a Hindu festival observed primarily in the northern and eastern parts of India, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Nepal. |
| About Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): The CAQM is a statutory body established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas, Act 2021. Mandate: Better coordination, research, identification, and resolution of problems surrounding the air quality index and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. It undertakes action for the prevention and control of Air pollution in Delhi-NCR & Adjoining Areas which impacts the air quality of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. The Commission is required to coordinate its actions on monitoring of air quality with the government of Delhi and the adjoining states, which includes Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. |
| Invoking the doctrine of “constructive possession”, Supreme Court recently ruled that watching child pornography over the Internet without downloading would also amount to “possession”, in terms of Section 15 of the POCSO Act, provided the person had a degree of control over such material. |
| About Mankidia Tribe: The Mankidia community is an Austro-Asiatic community that ekes out a living mainly from the forests. They constitute a semi-nomadic section of the Birhor tribe. They have been identified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Odisha. Occupation: They are primarily a food gathering and huntingThey are one of the most little-known forest dwelling and wandering communities of the state as well as the country. |
| Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India achieved a 100-Day Target of 100 Nagar Vans under Nagar Van Yojana (NVY) with the objective to Enhance Urban Greenery. |
| About Fjord: A fjord is a long, deep, narrow body of water that reaches far inland. Fjords are often set in a U-shaped valleywith steep walls of rock on either side. Fjords are found mainly in Norway, Chile, New Zealand, Canada, Greenland, and the U.S. state of Alaska. How are Fjords Formed? Fjords have been shaped throughout the span of several ice ages by slow-moving glaciers. As the glacier moved, it cut away at the top layers of ice and into the sediment below. Melting waters also carved away into the land, meaning that many fjords are actually deeper than the sea that feeds into it. Where the fjord meets the sea, also known as the mouth, many glaciers left behind shill or shoal rock deposits. Because the mouth is a shallower opening than the body of the fjord, it results in extremely fast-moving water (this includes strong currents and saltwater rapids). |
| Epigenetics is the study of how cells control gene activity without changing the DNA sequence. “Epi-“means on or above in Greek, and “epigenetic” describes factors beyond the genetic code. Epigenetic changes are modifications to DNA that regulate whether genes are turned on or off. These Epigenetic modifications are attached to DNA and do not change the sequence of DNA building blocks. Within the complete set of DNA in a cell (the genome), all of the modifications that regulate the activity (expression) of the genes is known as the epigenome. Because epigenetic changes help determine whether genes are turned on or off, they influence the production of proteins in cells. This regulation helps ensure that each cell produces only proteins that are necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. |
| About National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission: It is a quasi-judicial commissionset up in 1988 under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986. Mandate: To provide inexpensive, speedy, and summary redressal of consumer disputes. It is headed by a sitting or a retired Judge of the SCor a sitting or a retired Chief Justice of a High Court. NCDRC shall have jurisdiction to entertain a complaint valued more than two crore and also have appellate and revisional jurisdiction from the orders of State Commissions or the District fora as the case may be. The provisions of this act cover ‘goods’ as well as ‘services’. |
| Recently,the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry has approved a Spices Board scheme, ‘Sustainability in the spice sector through progressive, innovative and collaborative interventions for export development’ (SPICED) scheme. bout SPICED Scheme: It is aimed at significantly enhancing the export of spices and value- added spice products as well as improving the productivity of cardamoms and upgrading the post-harvest quality of spices across India for export. It is implemented during the remaining term of the 15th Finance Commission, up to 2025-26. Key highlights of the Scheme It is expected to facilitate value addition and to drive innovation and sustainability in the spice sector by introducing new sub-components/programs like the Mission Value Addition, Mission Clean and Safe Spices, promotion of GI spices, support for entrepreneurship through Spice Incubation Centres, etc. The scheme gives thrust on farmers groups / FPOS / Farmers Clusters identified under ODOP and DEH, SC/ST community, Exporters from NE region, and SMEs. |
| Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity: It is a regional arrangement to build cooperation and economic integration in the Indo-Pacific region. It was launched in May 2022. It is intended to advance resilience, sustainability, inclusiveness, economic growth, fairness and competitiveness for member economies. It will seek to complement and build on existing regional architecture and support the global rules-based trading system. Member countries: It has 14 regional partners – Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam. The economic framework broadly rests on four pillars: trade, supply chain resilience, clean economy, and fair economy (focusing on tax and anti-corruption). The IPEF is not a Free Trade Agreement(FTA), but it allows members to negotiate the parts they want to. |
| About Goa Maritime Symposium 2024: It is a forum for fostering collaborative thinking, cooperation, and mutual understanding between India and key maritime nations of the Indian Ocean Region. Theme: The theme for the event is Common Maritime Security Challenges in the Indian Ocean Region: Progressing Lines of Efforts to Mitigate Dynamic Threats such as illegal and unregulated fishing and other illegal maritime activities. It will be participated by the representatives from 12 Indian Ocean Littoral countries- Bangladesh, Comoros, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Observers from Kenya and Tanzania |
| Bengaluru-based space startup Bellatrix Aerospace recently unveiled Project 200 on the inaugural day of the Bengaluru Space Expo 2024. |
| About Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus): It is a type of gram-positive, sphere-shaped (coccal) bacteria. aureus may occur commonly in the environment. It is commonly found on the skin and in the nose of about 30% of individuals. Most of the time, aureus does not cause any harm, but it can sometimes cause infections. Skin infections are common, but the bacteria can spread through the bloodstream and infect distant organs, particularly heart valves (endocarditis) and bones (osteomyelitis). Skin infections may cause blisters, abscesses, and redness and swelling in the infected area. |
| Recently, India and Brazil have decided to collaborate on production and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). |
| Recently, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in collaboration with the Southern Command of the Indian Army organised a two-day national symposium, ‘Exercise AIKYA’, on disaster management in Chennai. |
| About INSPIRE – MANAK Programme: The INSPIRE – MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge) is one of the flagship schemes of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India. It is for nurturing ideas and innovations of school students and motivates them to pursue science and a career in research. It is jointly implemented by DST and the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – India. It aims to motivate students in the age group of 10-15 years and studying in classes 6 to 10 to become future innovators and critical thinkers. |
| bout Global Cybersecurity Index: It is a trusted reference that measures the commitment of countries to cybersecurity at a global level. It is to raise awareness of the importance and different dimensions of the issue. Each country’s level of development or engagement is assessed along five pillars namely, Legal Measures, Technical Measures, Organizational Measures, Capacity Development, and Cooperation – and then aggregated into an overall score. It is published by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Key highlights of GCI 2024 The report places 46 countries in Tier 1, the highest of the five tiers, reserved for “role modelling” countries that demonstrate a strong commitment in all five cybersecurity pillars. With a remarkable score of 98.49 out of 100, India joins the ranks of ‘role-modelling’ countries, demonstrating a strong commitment to cybersecurity practices across the globe. Most countries are either “establishing” (Tier 3) or “evolving” (Tier 4) in terms of cybersecurity. |
| About Criticality in a Nuclear Reactor: Nuclear reactors use uranium fuel rods—long, slender, zirconium metal tubes containing pellets of fissionable material to create energy through fission. Fission is the process of splitting the nuclei of uranium atoms to release neutrons that in turn split more atoms, releasing more neutrons. Fission produces a great deal of energy in the form of very high heat and radiation. That’s why reactors are housed in structures sealed under thick metal-reinforced concrete domes. Power plants harness this energy and heat to produce steam to drive generators that produce electricity. Criticality means that a reactor is controlling a sustained fission chain reaction, where each fission event releases a sufficient number of neutrons to maintain an ongoing series of reactions. This is the normal state of nuclear power generation. |
| About Advocate-on-Record (AoR): The concept of AoR was introduced by the SC with the power given to it under Article 145(1) of the Indian Constitution, which states that the SC may, from time to time, make rules for regulating the practices and procedures in the court. An AoR is a lеgal profеssional who is entitled to represent clients and plead for them in the SC. It is a spеcific catеgory of advocates with rights of audiеncе in thе SC. An AoR has thе exclusive right to filе and conduct casеs in thе SC. All the procedural aspects need to be completed by AOR with the assistance of a registered clerk. This includеs drafting and filing pеtitions, applications, and othеr lеgal documents. |
| About Europa Clipper Mission: It is a NASA mission to study Jupiter’s icy moon Europa. The mission will place a spacecraft in orbit around Jupiter in order to perform a detailed investigation of Europa. The first NASA spacecraft dedicated to studying an ocean world beyond Earth, Europa Clipper aims to find out if the ice-encased moon Europa could be habitable. Europa shows strong evidence for an ocean of liquid water beneath its icy crust. |
| About TRISHNA Mission: The Thermal Infrared Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural Resource Assessment (TRISHNA) mission a collaborative endeavor between the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) the French Space Agency CNES. Objectives It is engineered to deliver high spatial and temporal resolution observations of Earth’s surface temperature, vegetation health, and water cycle dynamics. It will also help in a comprehensive assessment of urban heat islands, detection of thermal anomalies linked to volcanic activity and geothermal resources, and precise monitoring of snow-melt runoff and glacier dynamics. The mission will also provide valuable data on aerosol optical depth, atmospheric water vapor, and cloud cover. |
| About Financial Action Task Force (FATF): ATF is an intergovernmental policy-making and standard-setting body dedicated to combating money laundering and terrorist financing. Objective: To establish international standards, and to develop and promote policies, both at national and international levels, to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Origin: It was established in 1989 during the G7 Summit in Paris to develop policies against money laundering. In 2001, its mandate expanded to include terrorism financing. Headquarters: Paris, France. Members: To become a member, a country must be considered strategically important (large population, large GDP, developed banking and insurance sector, etc.), must adhere to globally accepted financial standards, and be a participant in other important international organizations. FATF members include 39 countries, including the United States, India, China, Saudi Arabia, Britain, Germany, France, and the EU as such. India became a member of FATF in 2010. |
| The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation recently launched the standard operating procedure for ‘White Revolution 2.0’, stating that milk dairies will aid empowerment of women and the fight against malnutrition. |
| About Naga King Chilli: It belongs to genus Capsicum of family Solanaceae. It is also known as raja mircha, Bhoot Jolokia and Ghost pepper. It is a spice renowned globally for its extreme heat, which exceeds 1 million Scoville heat units (SHU). It is ranked among the hottest chillies in the world, the king chilli holds significant cultural and economic value for the Naga people. It has received the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2008. |
| About Venus Orbiter Mission: It is envisaged to orbit a scientific spacecraft in the orbit of planet Venus. Objectives It is for better understanding of the Venusian surface and subsurface, atmospheric processes and influence of Sun on Venusian atmosphere. The study of the underlying causes of transformation of Venus, which is whispered to be once habitable and quite similar to Earth would be an invaluable aid in understanding the evolution of the sister planets, both Venus and Earth. The Indian Venus mission is expected to answer some of the outstanding scientific questions resulting in various scientific outcomes. India Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will be responsible for the development of spacecraft and its launch. The mission is expected to be accomplished on the opportunity available during March 2028. The realization of the spacecraft and launch vehicle is through various industries. Funding: The total fund approved for the VOM is Rs.1236 Cr out of which Rs 824.00 Crore will be spent on the spacecraft. The cost includes development and realization of the spacecraft including its specific payloads and technology elements, global ground station support cost for navigation and network as well as the cost of launch vehicle. |
| About Next Generation Launch Vehicle: It will have 3 times the present payload capability with 1.5 times the cost compared to LVM3, and will also have reusability resulting in low-cost access to space and modular green propulsion systems. The development of the NGLV is taken up which is designed to have a maximum payload capability of 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit, which also has a reusable first stage. This development project will be implemented with maximal participation from the Indian industry, which is also expected to invest in the manufacturing capacity at the outset itself, thereby allowing a seamless transition to the operational phase subsequent to the development. NGLV will be demonstrated with three development flights (D1, D2 & D3) with a target of 96 months (8 years) for the completion of the development phase. |
| About National Board for Wildlife (NBWL): It is a statutory board constituted by the Central Government under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. It is responsible for guiding the government’s decisions on matters related to wildlife conservation and issuing approvals for projects in protected areas (PAs). The WLPA mandates that without the approval/recommendation of the NBWL, construction of tourist lodges, alteration of the boundaries of PAs, destruction or diversion of wildlife habitat, and de-notification of Tiger Reserves, cannot be done. Structure: It is a 47-member committee, headed by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (environment minister) as vice chairperson. In addition to offices and institutions directly involved in conservation and protection of wildlife, the NBWL also has the chief of army staff, defence secretary, and expenditure secretary to Government of India as members. Further, the central government nominates 10 members who are eminent conservationists, ecologists, and environmentalists. |
| About Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): REITs are companies that own or finance income-producing real estate across a range of property sectors. It allows investors to pool their funds and invest in various real estate projects. Essentially, it functions like a mutual fund for real estate investments. These trusts own and oversee a portfolio of income-generating properties, such as office buildings, hotels, shopping malls, etc. Unlike other real estate companies, a REIT does not develop real estate properties to resell Instead, a REIT buys and develops properties primarily to operate them as part of its own investment portfolio. |
| About Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA): It is an umbrella scheme aimed at ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce. The revamped PM AASHA has four components, and states can choose whichever one they wish to implement. They are: Price Support Scheme (PSS): In PSS, physical procurement of pulses, oilseeds, and copra will be done by Central Nodal Agencies with the proactive role of state governments. In addition to the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), Food Corporation of India (FCI) will take up PSS operations in states/districts. The procurement expenditure and losses due to procurement will be borne by the Central Government as per norms |
| About Online Information and Database Access or Retrieval (OIDAR) services: It is a category of services provided through the medium of the internet, and received by the recipient online without having any physical interface with the supplier of such services. OIDAR services, delivered over the internet or electronic networks, are highly dependent on information technology and include offerings such as cloud services, digital content, online gaming, and online advertising. When such services are provided by an offshore entity to a non-taxable recipient, the supplier becomes liable for obtaining registration and discharging GST on the same. Criteria to determine an OIDAR Service |
| About Phosphoric Acid: It is a non-combustible, colorless, odorless phosphorus-containing inorganic acid. Phosphoric acid is not directly found in nature. It can be obtained from phosphate rock deposits. Uses It is used to make phosphate salts for fertilizers. It is also used in dental cements, in the preparation of albumin derivatives, and in the sugar and textile industries. It serves as an acidic, fruitlike flavouring in food products. It is also used in lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries. It is used in the manufacture of superphosphate fertilisers, livestock feeds, phosphate salts, polyphosphates, soaps, waxes, polishes and detergents. |
| About Seaweeds: “Seaweed” is the common name for countless species of marine plants and algae that grow in the ocean as well as in rivers, lakes, and other water bodies. They range in colours from red, green, brown and black and also vary in size, from microscopic to large underwater forests. Seaweeds are generally anchored to the sea bottom or other solid structures by rootlike “holdfasts,” which perform the sole function of attachment and do not extract nutrients as do the roots of higher plants. Many show a well-established zonation along the margins of the seas, where the depth of the water is 50 metres (about 165 feet) or less. |
| About Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE): The Union Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) started Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs) in the year 2000. Objective: To catalyze the flow of institutional credit to Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs). The scheme was formally launched on August 30, 2000, and is operational with effect from 1st January 2000. The scheme aims to facilitate access to credit for the unserved and underserved MSE segment of the MSME Sector, making the availability of credit from conventional lenders to new generation entrepreneurs and underprivileged, that lack supporting their loan proposal with collateral security and/or a third-party guarantee. In order to implement the Credit Guarantee Scheme, CGTMSE was jointly set up by the Union Ministry of MSME and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). Funding: The corpus of CGTMSE is being contributed by the Government of India and SIDBI in the ratio of 4:1. Eligible Lending Institutions: Scheduled commercial banks (Public Sector Banks/Private Sector Banks/Foreign Banks) and select Regional Rural Banks (which have been classified under the ‘Sustainable Viable’ category by NABARD). National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (NSIC), North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi), SIDBI, selected Small Finance banks, and NBFCs have also been made eligible institutions. |
| Cellulitis disease, which used to affect a few people during the rainy season, is now widespread in the erstwhile Karimnagar district, Telangana. |
| Recently, the 127th anniversary of the Battle of Saragarhi was celebrated on September 12 and it is regarded as one of the finest last stands in global military history. |
| The Union Ministry of Agriculture is planning a Smart Precision Horticulture Programme under the existing Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) scheme. About Smart Precision Horticulture Programme: It uses smart technology such as Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, drones and data analytics to boost production through maximal use of resources while minimising environmental impact. It will cover 15,000 acres of land in five years from 2024-25 to 2028-29 and is expected to benefit about 60,000 farmers. At present, the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), launched during Covid-19, has provisions for financing infrastructure projects for smart and precision agriculture. |
| Recently, the union Minister for Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) inaugurated the Centre for Rural Enterprise Acceleration through Technology (CREATE) setup at Leh through virtual mode. About Centre for Rural Enterprise Acceleration through Technology: It will enhance local productivity, product quality, and economic potential and improve livelihoods for the local communities. It will help advance rural industrialization and foster enterprise creation, to retain the traditional artisans particularly in regions like Ladakh. |
| About Integrated Ocean Energy Atlas: It showcases the vast potential of ocean energy resources encompassing marine meteorological (solar and wind) and hydrological (wave, tide, currents, ocean thermal, and salinity gradients) energy forms. It identifies areas with high potential for energy generation and will serve as a reference for policymakers, industry and researchers for harnessing the rich energy resources available in the Indian EEZ. INCOIS prepared the annual, monthly, and daily energy estimates of ocean energy components following standard methods that can be visualised through a WebGIS interface at 5 km grid resolution. Key facts about the INCOIS It was established as an autonomous body in 1999 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences(MoES) and is a unit of the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO). |
| About International Day of Democracy: It is an annual celebration observed on September 15. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) established this day in 2007 to emphasise the global significance of democracy. It serves as a reminder that democracy is not merely a fixed condition, but an ongoing pursuit. It calls for active engagement from international organizations, nation-states, civil society, and people to pursue the democratic idea. |
| About Nidhi Companies: A NIDHI Company is recognised under Section 406 of the Companies Act 2013 and typically operates in the Non-Banking Financing Sector of India. It is formed to borrow and lend money to its members. It inculcates the habit of saving among its members and works on the principle of mutual benefit. It is not required to receive the license from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as these are registered with the Companies Act. Members: A minimum of seven members is required to start a Nidhi Company out of which three members must be the directors of the company. Activities Prohibited in a Nidhi Company It can’t deal with chit funds, hire-purchase finance, leasing finance, insurance or securities business. It is strictly prohibited from accepting deposits from or lending funds to, any other person except members. Nidhi companies should not issue preference shares, debentures or any other debt instrument in any manner, name or form. Nidhi companies should not open current accounts with their members. |
| The third edition of the INDUS-X Summit concluded in the United States, marking a progress in the advancement of a joint defence innovation ecosystem in India and the USA. |
| About Neuromorphic Computing Technology: It is also known as neuromorphic engineering, is an approach to computing that mimics the way the human brain works. It entails designing hardware and software that simulate the neural and synaptic structures and functions of the brain to process information. How does it Work? It is modeled in neuromorphic computing systems through Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs). A Spiking Neural Network is a type of artificial neural network composed of spiking neurons and synapses. These spiking neurons store and process data similar to biological neurons, with each neuron having its own charge, delay and threshold values. Synapses create pathways between neurons and also have delay and weight values associated with them. |
| World Heritage Site (WHS): World Heritage Sites are cultural and/or natural sites with legal protection inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List. These sites are designated by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, scientific, or other forms of significance. The sites are designated as having “outstanding universal value” under the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (World Heritage Convention). This document was adopted by UNESCO in 1972 and formally took effect in 1975 after having been ratified by 20 countries. It provides a framework for international cooperation in preserving and protecting cultural treasures and natural areas throughout the world. |
| About Amazon River: It is the world’s largest river by water volumeand width and the second-longest river in the world after the Nile. Course: Its journey begins high in the Andes Mountains and empties into the Atlantic Oceanon the northeastern coast of Brazil. River basin: It has the largest drainage area of any river system. Its watershed spans the countries of Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and Bolivia. Roughly two-thirds of the Amazon’s main stream and by far the largest portion of its basin are within Brazil. The river’s size changes with the seasons. In the dry season, it spans 4 to 5 km in width, but during the wet season, this can swell to 50 km. Tributaries: Notable tributaries include the Rio Negro, the Madeira River, and the Xingu River, among many others. |
| Online Information and Database Access or Retrieval (OIDAR) services: It is a category of services provided through the medium of the internet, and received by the recipient online without having any physical interface with the supplier of such services. OIDAR services, delivered over the internet or electronic networks, are highly dependent on information technology and include offerings such as cloud services, digital content, online gaming, and online advertising. When such services are provided by an offshore entity to a non-taxable recipient, the supplier becomes liable for obtaining registration and discharging GST on the same. Criteria to determine an OIDAR Service These are the services whose delivery is mediated by information technology over the internet/electronic network and Services are automated and impossible to ensure in the absence of internet technology. |
| Recently, the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has designated the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) as a centre of excellence for seaweed cultivation. |
| About Smart Precision Horticulture Programme: It uses smart technology such as Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, drones and data analytics to boost production through maximal use of resources while minimising environmental impact. It will cover 15,000 acres of land in five years from 2024-25 to 2028-29 and is expected to benefit about 60,000 farmers. At present, the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), launched during Covid-19, has provisions for financing infrastructure projects for smart and precision agriculture. Apart from offering financial support, the Centre is also considering collaborating with the Netherlands and Israel, where tech-based modern farming solutions are being used, through Centres of Excellences (CoEs). The Centre has also set up 22 Precision Farming Development Centres (PFDCs) across the country to test new technologies and modify them according to local needs. |
| About International Day of Democracy: It is an annual celebration observed on September 15. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) established this day in 2007 to emphasise the global significance of democracy. It serves as a reminder that democracy is not merely a fixed condition, but an ongoing pursuit. It calls for active engagement from international organizations, nation-states, civil society, and people to pursue the democratic idea. |
| The Emmy Awards are the most renowned accolades given to television and emerging media performances. Unlike Oscars and Golden Globe awards, they aren’t given for films. These were conceived in 1948 and the first ceremony took place on January 25, 1949. |
| About Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile: It is a ship-borne weapon system designed to neutralise various aerial threats at close ranges, including sea-skimming targets. During the mid-course flight, the missile uses a fibre-optic gyroscope-based inertial guidance mechanism while the terminal phase uses active radar homing. It is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The test was jointly carried out by the Indian Navy and the DRDO from a land-based vertical launcher against a high-speed, low-flying aerial target. |
| About BHASKAR Platform: The Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR) initiative, under the Startup India program aimed at strengthening India’s startup ecosystem. It is a platform designed to centralize, streamline and enhance collaboration among key stakeholders within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, including startups, investors, mentors, service providers and government bodies. The primary goal of BHASKAR is to build the world’s largest digital registry for stakeholders within the startup ecosystem. Key Features of BHASKAR Networking and Collaboration: BHASKAR will bridge the gap between startups, investors, mentors, and other stakeholders, allowing for seamless interaction across sectors. |
| About Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): It is a statutory body constituted in September, 1974, under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. Further, CPCB was entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Principal Functions of the CPCB, as spelt out in the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981: to promote cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the States by prevention, control and abatement of water pollution. to improve the quality of air and to prevent, control, or abate air pollution in the country It advises the Central Government on matters related to control and abatement of air and water pollution. |
| Iran has successfully launched its research satellite, Chamran-1, into space recently. |
| About Bio-decomposer: It is a microbial liquid spray which, when sprayed onto paddy stubble, breaks it down in a way that can be easily absorbed into the soil, whereby farmers then have no need to burn the stubble. It has been developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI). The government has been spraying the bio-decomposer solution free of cost since 2020 over farmlands in outer Delhi. It has been used by the States of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi. |
| About INDUS-X Summit: It was launched in 2023 during the state visit of the Prime Minister of India to the USA. Objective: To expand strategic technology partnerships and defense industrial cooperation between governments, businesses, and academic institutions in India and the US. INDUS X will be a defence innovation bridge, which will inter-alia, include Joint Challenges, Joint Innovation Fund, Academia engagement, Industry-startup connect, investment by private entities in defence projects, mentoring by experts and niche technology projects etc. It will focus on advancing high-tech cooperation and fostering joint research, development and production opportunities in the defence sector. |
| Scientists at the IISc, Bengaluru, are reporting a momentous breakthrough in neuromorphic, or brain-inspired, computing technology that could potentially allow India to play in the global AI race. |
| About United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA): It is a subsidiary agency created by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 1949. Objective: To provide relief, health and education services for Palestinians who lost both their homes and their means of livelihood during the Arab-Israeli wars following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. Headquarters: Beginning operations in 1950, UNRWA was originally headquartered in Beirut but was moved to Vienna in 1978. Following the conclusion of the Oslo Accords in the early 1990s, the General Assembly moved the agency to the Gaza Strip in 1996 to demonstrate the General Assembly’s commitment to the Arab-Israeli peace process. |
| About Scheme of budgetary support for the cost of Enabling Infrastructure for Hydro Electric Projects (HEP): This scheme, set to run from FY 2024-25 to FY 2031-32, aims to enhance infrastructure and support the development of hydropower in India. The scheme addresses major challenges such as remote locations and inadequate infrastructure by broadening its scope to cover additional costs. This includes funding for the construction of transmission lines, upgrading pooling substations, and developing ropeways, railway sidings, and communication infrastructure. It also supports the strengthening of existing roads and bridges leading to project sites. The scheme is set to support hydropower projects with a cumulative generation capacity of approximately 31,350 MW. It applies to all hydro projects over 25 MW, including private sector projects, and Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs). |
| Key Facts about Gulf of Mexico About 42% of crude oil production and 53% of natural gas output in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico were shut in recently in the wake of Hurricane Francine. |
| About Irula Tribe: Irulas are one of India’s oldest indigenous communities. They are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). They live primarily in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu, as well as in parts of Kerala and Karnataka. Language: Their language, Irula, is related to Tamil and Kannada, which are southern Dravidian languages. Religious Beliefs: The Irula people don’t have a definite god for them. They are pantheists who make provision for the presence of spirits in humans and objects. Their main deity is a virgin goddess called Kanniamma, who is deeply associated with the cobra. Irula houses are built together in small settlements or villages called mottas. The mottas are usually situated on the edges of steep hills and are surrounded by a few dry fields, gardens and forests or plantations. Traditionally, they have been skilled hunters, gatherers and honey collectors, relying on the forest for their sustenance and livelihood. |
| About Port Blair: It is the capital city and the entry point of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It was named after Archibald Blair, a naval surveyor and lieutenant in the Bombay Marine. Blair was the first officer to carry out a thorough survey of the Andaman Islands. It is located on the east coast of the South Andaman Island. It is also the place that hosted the first unfurling of our Tiranga by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Port Blair’s connection with the imperial Cholas and Srivijaya Some historical records suggest that the Andaman Islands were used as a strategic naval base by the 11th-century Chola emperor, Rajendra Ito attack Srivijaya, which is in present-day Indonesia. |
| About Software-as-a-Service (SaaS): SaaS is a cloud-based method of delivering software where users subscribe to access applications on the Internet rather than purchasing them outright. The software is located on external servers rather than on servers located in-house. SaaS vendors host services and applications for customers to access on-demand. These services are available to end-users over the internet, so the end-users do not need to install any software on their devices to access these services. Common SaaS examples include email, calendaring and cloud-based collaborative tools like Slack. This model operates similarly to streaming services, offering flexible, subscription-based access from any compatible device. By hosting the software in the cloud, SaaS provides a complete solution that enhances accessibility and convenience, allowing users to connect and use these apps on a pay-as-you-go basis. |
| About Subarnarekha River: It is one of the longest east-flowing interstate rivers. ‘Subarnarekha’ means ‘Streak of Gold.’ The river is known as the storehouse of gold. It flows through the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha. Course: Origin: It rises near Nagri village in the Ranchi District of Jharkhand at an elevation of 600 m. It flows east through a copper-mining region and leaves the Chota Nagpur plateau by the Hundru waterfall. Continuing eastward, it flows across West Bengal It runs through some major industrial towns and cities, i.e., Jamshedpur, Chaibasa, Ranchi and Bhadrak, before joining the Bay of Bengal at Kirtania port in Odisha. |
| About Exercise AL NAJAH: It is a joint military exercise between India and Oman. The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 13th to 26th September 2024 at Rabkoot Training Area in Salalah, Oman. Exercise AL NAJAH has been held biennially since 2015, alternating between India and Oman. Last edition of the same exercise was conducted at Mahajan in Rajasthan. |
| Salt Pan lands: These are parcels of low-lying lands where seawater flows in at certain times and leaves behind salt and other minerals. This ecosystem is instrumental in protecting the city from flooding. According to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification of 2011, the ecologically sensitive salt pans fall under the CRZ-1B category, where no economic activity is allowed with the exception of salt extraction and natural gas exploration. Nationally, some 60,000 acres have been demarcated as salt pan lands, spread across Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Gujarat and Karnataka. Andhra Pradesh (20,716 acres) boasts the largest expanse of such land, followed by Tamil Nadu (17,095 acres) and Maharashtra (12,662 acres). Ecological Significance: Salt pans, which, along with the mangroves, stop the city from flooding, also host various species of birds and insects. What are Coastal Regulation Zones? The coastal land up to 500m from the High Tide Line (HTL) and a stage of 100m along banks of creeks, estuaries, backwaters and rivers subject to tidal fluctuations, is called the Coastal Regulation Zone. |
| About Soyuz Spacecraft: The Soyuz (saw-yooz) is a Russian spacecraft. The Soyuz programme is the longest operational human spacecraft programme in the history of space exploration. What Can the Soyuz Do? Russian crew members are called cosmonauts. NASA crew members from the United States are called astronauts. Crew members from Europe, Canada, and Japan are also called astronauts. The Soyuz takes cosmonauts and astronauts to and from the ISS. The Soyuz spacecraft weighs 7 tonnes; they measure 7.2 m in length and 2.7 m in diameter. A Soyuz has room for three people to ride in it. |
Current Affairs From August 2024 to December 2024 for H.P TGT, PGT, JBT,Patwari, Allied,HPAS etc (Part-2)
